Operclipygus dentatus, Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013

Caterino, Michael S. & Tishechkin, Alexey K., 2013, A systematic revision of Operclipygus Marseul (Coleoptera, Histeridae, Exosternini), ZooKeys 271, pp. 1-401 : 312-314

Operclipygus dentatus sp. n. Figs 84 E–FMap 30

Type locality.

PANAMA: Chiriquí: La Fortuna Station [08°46'N, 82°12'W].

Type material.

Holotype male: "PANAMA: Chiriquí Prov. La Fortuna, "Cont. Divide Trail", 08°46'N, 82°12'W, 1100m, 21-23 May 1995 J. & A. Ashe #044, ex: flight intercept trap" / “SEMC0903608” (SEMC).

Other material.

COSTA RICA: Guanacaste: 1: Parque. Nac. Guanacaste, Sector Las Pailas. 6-26.vi.1994 (INBIO).

Diagnostic description.

This species is very similar to the preceding, differing mainly in the following characters: length: 1.68-1.72 mm, width: 1.53-1.56 mm; body form broader, sides not as strongly rounded; pronotal sides almost subparallel, elytra slightly rounded at sides; frons flat, not at all depressed; frontal stria not carinate, finely impressed, evenly rounded at sides onto front, recurved dorsad along anterior margin of frons, interrupted at middle, not extending onto epistoma; both mandibles very strongly and acutely dentate; anterior submarginal pronotal stria absent; pronotal disk more strongly depressed in posterolateral corners; all dorsal elytral striae fine but distinct, striae 1-4 complete, 5th stria present in apical three-fourths, sutural present in apical two-thirds; prosternal lobe larger, more broadly rounded apically; venter with vestigial or no microsculpture; marginal mesoventral stria absent; meso- and metatibiae with submarginal spines, not forming a submarginal ridge; propygidium and pygidium completely lacking marginal striae. Male genitalia are extremely similar to those of the preceding species (see Figs 83F, H–K), differing principally in the more strongly narrowed S8, with apical guides that are distinctly wider near the apices.

Remarks.

This species is very closely related to both the preceding and following species, but differs radically in the simple form of the frontal striae, being not at all carinate (Fig. 84F). The specimen from Guanacaste, Costa Rica is similar in most respects, but differs slightly in elytral striation, and has a complete frontal stria, not interrupted medially. We consider it conspecific, but exclude it from the type series.

Etymology.

This species is named for the very strong teeth on the mandibles.